Traveler for kite-strings



(No Model.)

. E. FOLSOM 8v E. H. PACKARD.

, TRAVELER FOB. KITE STRINGS. No. 589,373.

Patented Aug. 31, 1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT @EErcE.

ELMER FOLSOM AND EUGENE I-I. PACKARD, OF BLOOM-INGTON, ILLlNOIS.

TRAVELER FOR KlTE-STRINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,373, dated August 31, 1897.

Application filed July 16, 1894:. Renewed July 2, 1897. Serial No. 643,284. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ELMER FoLsoM and.

The object of the present invention is a de-- vice so constructed that when arranged on the string of a kite the wind pressing against a sail carried by it will cause it to travel up said string until it comes in contact with a button arranged on the string, preferably near the kite.

This invention consists in the features of novelty thatare particularly pointed out in the claims, and in order that it may be fully understood we will describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the traveler with the parts in the positions that they occupy while it is traveling up the kite-strin g and before the button has'been reached. Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof with the parts in the positions that they occupy after the button has been reached and a parachute released. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the traveler on a larger scale with the parts in the same posit-ions as in Fig. 1. Fig 4 is a side elevation thereof with intermediate portions broken away and the sail-frame in central section. V

The main frame is made up of three strips A B 0, preferably of wood, united inthe form of a triangle. To the strip A are secured two housings D, in which are journaled grooved pulleys E, that are adapted to travel on the string F of the kite. The housings are constructed of pieces of sheet metal bent to U shape and provided with circular depressions forreceivin g the pulleys, one side only of each housing being secured to the frame, the other side being left free in order to permit the insertion of the string F.

To the front side of the main frame and at the bottom thereof is hinged a second frame, hereinafter called the sail-frame, which is made up of three strips GH I, united in the form of a triangle. The strip I is preferably of round cross-section and has at its middle a circumferential groove, in which fits the ring of an eye-screw K, which is screwed into the main frame and constitutes the hinge by which the two frames are connected.

At top the sail-frame is provided with a device L,

adapted to be engaged by a catch M, pivoted to the main frame and provided with a projecting heel m, an elastic strap N being applied to the catch for keeping it normally in engagement and a button 0 being secured to the kite-string in the path of the projecting heel m for engaging said heel and thereby tripping the catch and liberating the upper edge of the sail-frame.

P are cords or wires laced from side to side of the sail-frame for the purpose of affording a bearing for the sail, which is shown at Q, and preferably consists of a loose sheet of paper somewhat larger than the frame, so as to bear upon all sides of it.

B are guys extending from the outer ends of the strip G to the upper end of the strip B and serving the double purpose of steadying the sail frame and preventing side gusts of wind from bending or folding the sail backward.

T is a hook or pin at the top of the sailframe for supporting the parachute U or whatever article or device is to be carried up and dropped.

To use the traveler thus constructed, the sail-frame is swung away from the main frame, the sail is placed upon the sail-frame, and said frame returned to the position shown by Figs. 1, 3, and 4, the catch M engaging it and holding it. The parachute U or other article is then hung upon the hook or pin T, and the traveler being in place on the kite-string is ready for the ascent. The pressure of the wind on the rear side of the sail causes' the traveler to ascend the kite-string until the heel of the catch M comes in contact with the button 0, and the catch is thereby tripped,

This traveler may be used as a toy or for the purpose of signaling, or for any other purpose for which itmay be found to be useful.

lVhat We claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with the string of a kite of a traveler havinga main frame suspended from said string, a displaceable sail-frame carried by the main frame and occupying a plane that is transverse to the general direction of the string, a catch holding the sail-frame in operative position With relation to the main frame, an unattached sail arranged against the rear side of the sail-frame, and a button secured to the string in the path of the catch for tripping it and releasing the sail-frame and permitting the wind-pressure to move the sail-frame out of normal position and dislodge the sail, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with the string of a kite of a traveler having a main frame suspended from said string, a sail-frame having its lower side hinged to the lower side of the main frame and occupying a plane that is transverse to the general direction of the string, a catch for securing the sail-frame to the main frame, an unattached sail arranged against the rear side of the sail-frame, and a button secured to the string in the path of the catch and adapted to trip it whereby the wind-pressure upon the sail displaces the sail-frame and dislodges the sail, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with the string of a kite, of a traveler having a main frame, pulleys j ournaled thereto and resting upon the string, a saihframe, pivotedto the main frame, a catch for holding the sail-frame in operative position With relation to the main frame, an unattached sail arranged against the rear side of the sail-frame, and a button secured to the string in the path of the catch and adapted to trip it and thereby liberate the sail-frame and permit it to swing away from the main frame and release the sail, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with the string of a kite of a traveler having a main frame suspended from said string and constructed of three strips united in the form of a triangle,the sailframe being hinged at the center of one of its sides to the lower end of one of the sides of the main frame, a catch holding the sail-frame normally in a plane that is transverse to the general direction of the string, a sail carried by the sail-frame, and a button secured to the string in the path of the catch for tripping it and releasing the sail-frame, substantially as set forth.

Witnesses:

PETER FoLsoM, R. H. EVANS. 

